Chancellor confirms NPPF as part of Budget speech

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) will be published next week, chancellor George Osborne has confirmed.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Osborne said the document, which is expected to be largely unchanged from the draft version, would be made public on Tuesday, March 27 and would come into effect immediately.

The chancellor also backed David Cameron’s announcement earlier this week to proceed with plans to expand airport capacity in the south-east of England, as well as investment in the rail network.

Also included in the speech was a £70 million development fund for London and the re-announcement of an enterprise zone for the Royal Docks in London.

Finally, as expected, today’s Budget increased the personal income tax allowance to £9,205, while stamp duty on properties costing over £2 million rose to 7%.

Osborne finished his speech with the words: “We borrowed our way into trouble, now we’re going to earn our way out.”